‘We’re not going for open borders’
THE ISLAND’S Covid-19 testing capacity is being boosted with new equipment, including a robot, in preparation for opening up the borders in the autumn.
Other technology changes mean that when border restrictions are lifted it will be possible to do up to 2,000 on-island tests per day.
An ultra-efficient ‘pipetting’ robot will be able to speed up the task of processing Covid samples and minimise human error.
The authorities are also re-considering their decision to abandon the seven-day test pilot over the summer, and this strategy could be brought back earlier, although no firm commitment or date was given.
A main message from Friday’s press conference was the ongoing desire to proceed with great vigilance, and not be rushed into lifting the border controls and risk a second wave of infections.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, the chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority, said that the restrictions actually protected our freedoms.
‘We have got completely unrestricted social, business, sporting and community life in the Bailiwick, and of course the confidence that gives to the whole community, especially vulnerable groups, is enormous, which is hugely important to our economy.’
The seven-day testing pilot from earlier this month did throw up some logistical challenges, and the workload to overcome those problems was described as ‘enormous’, requiring meticulous planning.
Jersey has jumped ahead in opening its borders and welcoming back tourists.
States Chief Executive Paul Whitfield said they were determined to get it right with a tailored approach.
‘We’re not going for open borders, we’re heading towards non-quarantine which still has safety built into it, so we need people of different disciplines working at the borders, we’ll probably have to create different temporary facilities, but we want to build it so that it’s effective, it’s fast, it’s slick, it’s smooth, it’s safe.’
An update was given on anti-body tests, of the 517 healthcare workers tested to establish if they had Covid-19 in the past, only 15 tested positive, or 2.9%.
As of yesterday there were 515 people in mandatory 14 day quarantine and Police Chief Officer Ruari Hardy offered public reassurance over the rigour in which checks are made, so that anyone flouting the rules is caught.
In summary, the Bailiwick bubble is resisting pressure to burst.
